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These scopes provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. They have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but are but on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These scopes will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian
If the idea of a big-aperture telescope appeals to you, but the portability issue has kept you on the fence, you can hop off it now. We've got the perfect solution - the SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dob. It's a deep-sky observer's dream scope, offering jumbo 12" Pyrex optics (f/4.9); a stylish, reduced-weight base outfitted with IntelliScope object location technology; and a sturdy truss tube design that disassembles in about a minute into compact, easily portable components.

Finally, a deluxe, large-aperture Dobsonian that fits comfortably in a compact car for transport to your favorite observing site! The eight trusses (four captive pairs) provide more-rigid support than other designs in this category. We've also outfitted the XX12i base with nothing but the best materials: EbonyStar laminate and non-stick PTFE azimuth bearing surfaces provide silky smooth azimuth motion. Equipped with dual-speed (11:1) 2" Crayford focuser, large 8" altitude bearings, full set of great accessories, a computerized database of 14,000 celestial objects - and a price just north of a grand! - the XX12i is one killer telescope deal.

It's the big Dob you've dreamed of owning, and now you can take it with you wherever dark skies beckon! Get the practical, amazingly affordable SkyQuest XX12i and hit the road to astronomical adventure.

SkyQuest XX12i Truss Tube Dobsonian Shroud
Black shrouds are usually so funereal - but not when you're talking truss tube Dobs! For the best performance from any truss Dob, a shroud is a must. This one, custom designed for the SkyQuest XX12i, is made of a stretchy nylon blend material that fits like a glove over the truss poles of the XX12i, fastening with thick elastic bands on both ends.

The water-resistant, opaque black fabric blocks stray light from entering the optical path, thus improving image contrast. It's also breathable, which minimizes unwanted vibration of the scope in breezy conditions. Use of the shroud will lessen the accumulation of dust and dirt on the mirrors during use, and will help prevent dew from forming on them. Made in the U.S.A.

SkyQuest XX12i Truss Tube Dobsonian Case Set
The beauty of a big truss tube Dob is that it can be disassembled into conveniently sized components for easy transport. And transporting the SkyQuest XX12i will be much easier, and the components much better protected, with this set of cases designed just for the XX12i.

The set includes three cases plus a secondary mirror cover. Each case is made of durable, waterproof, 600-denier polyester/nylon material with a urethane coating and a 100% nylon lining, and double stitched for extra strength. There are separate padded cases for the upper and lower optical tube sections as well as a case for the truss poles. The poles slip into separate compartments to prevent direct contact among them.

The truss case attaches to the lower optical tube case with a hook-and-loop fastener so the two can be carried together as one. The lower tube case also has a zippered pocket to hold accessories. All the cases have carrying handles. Lastly, the soft nylon secondary mirror "sock" is included to keep the mirror free of dust when the scope is idle. Keep your SkyQuest XX12i Truss Tube Dob looking like new and get it to your observing site more easily and securely with this set of custom cases. Made in the U.S.A.

Media Buzz

Sky & Telescope - July 2009
"I was struck by the attention to little details, all based on time-tested Dobsonian principles, that demonstrated that this scope was designed by someone who understood how it would be used in the field."

"If the SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope were a car, it would be the model that dealers keep in the showroom to impress prospective buyers."

"The XX12 comes with the most effective altitude friction adjustment I've seen on a commercial Dob... The motions of the SkyQuest are among the best I've experienced..."

"If good optics in an easy-to-aim, well-built scope were the end of the story, the 12-inch SkyQuest would be a winner. But there's much more."

"I had fun using the computerized locator. I really got a kick out of choosing objects at random just to see what would greet me in the eyepiece. It was fun - and isn't that what telescopes are all about?"

"Of the three commercial 12-inch Dobsonians I've used in recent months, the XX12 is the one I enjoyed the most."

"I think the SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian is the ideal next scope for any observer who has learned his or her chops on an 8-inch or smaller instrument and is ready to move up to something bigger."

Astronomy Magazine - August 2009
"...I swung the [XX12] toward the Orion Nebula (M42), which lies in the Hunter's sword. The view through the 35mm eyepiece was that evening's "wow" moment. Faint tendrils of nebulosity filled the field. It was striking."

"Returning to the Trapezium with a 5mm eyepiece (300x), I noted that the image remained sharp and clear. Even boosting to a ridiculous magnification of 700x didn't compromise the view, a testament to the XX12's optical excellence."

"I came away impressed with Orion's XX12. In it, intelligent design and high-quality components come together to create one of the finest instruments of its size sold today."

"If you're a visual deep-sky observer like me and are looking for a telescope that will enthrall you for years, the XX12 should be on your short list of candidates."

WARNING! When using a truss tube Dobsonian telescope for solar observing, always use a Light Shroud and a properly sized solar filter. When you install the Light Shroud make certain there are no gaps between the Shroud and the telescope where direct sunlight can reach the telescope mirror. When a truss tube telescope (equipped with a solar filter but no Light Shroud) is pointing near (not at) the Sun, direct sunlight can hit the mirror and focus on the solar filter or other portions of the telescope. This can lead to eye injury or damage to the telescope. Using a Light Shroud protects your telescope from peripheral sunlight.

Before using any telescope for solar observing, make sure to install all dustcaps or other protective covers on all optical components such as finder scopes to keep sunlight from passing through them. Glancing through an uncovered optical system, even for an instant, can cause permanent eye damage. Always install protective caps on all optical instruments if left out during daylight hours.

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

User level

Level 1 Beginner - Suited for a wide range of uses, these telescopes are simple to operate and set up. Some initial assembly may be required. Very good optical and mechanical quality. Great for families, young people, and folks who don't want to mess with equipment but just want to take a look. Any of these scopes will show you countless lunar craters, Saturn's rings and a myriad of star clusters and nebulas! Referring to the manual is recommended.

Level 2 Intermediate - These scopes offer higher performance and more advanced features than Level 1: Beginner models. They typically take a bit longer to learn and need some set-up or adjustments. But anyone with the slightest technical bent will have no problem getting familiar with these models. Referring to the manual is recommended.

Level 3 Advanced - These scopes provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. They have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but are but on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These scopes will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Level 4 Expert - Expert telescopes offer uncompromising optical and mechanical quality for the most demanding amateur astronomer. They may be technically involved or designed for specialized use, such as astrophotography or detailed deep sky observation. They carry a premium price, but are designed to provide the ultimate performance in the field. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Optical design

Reflector telescopes use a pair of large and small mirrors to direct incoming light to the eyepiece.
Refractor telescopes refract, or "bend" incoming light to a focus by means of an objective lens.
Cassegrain telescopes, such as Maksutov-Cassegrains, "fold" incoming light using two mirrors and a front "corrector" lens.

Optical diameter

For telescopes, the optical diameter (also known as aperture) is the size of a telescope's main light-collecting lens or primary mirror, measured in millimeters or inches. Telescopes with larger optical diameters collect more light, which leads to an increase in brightness and image resolution compared to smaller instruments.

For binoculars, the optical diameter (also known as objective lens diameter) is the size of each of the front-facing objective lenses of a binocular measured in millimeters. Binoculars with larger objective lenses collect more light, which increases image resolution and brightness. Binoculars with larger objective lenses are recommended for low light situations, and binoculars with at least 50mm or larger objective lenses are recommended for pleasing astronomical observations at night.

Focal length

The distance from the center of a curved mirror or lens at which parallel light rays converge to a single point. The focal length is an inherent specification of a mirror or lens and is one of the factors in determining resultant magnification for a telescope (along with the focal length of the eyepiece being used).

Focal ratio

The focal ratio of an optical system is the ratio of a telescope's focal length to its aperture. Short focal ratios (f/5, f/4.5) produce wide fields of view and small image scales, while long focal lengths produce narrower fields of views and larger image scales.

Optics type

Newtonian reflectors will have either a spherical shaped mirror, which is less expensive to produce, or a higher quality parabola, which does not result in spherical aberration. Cassegrain telescopes routinely use spheres in addition to other lenses in the optical path to correct for residual spherical aberration.
Refractors use a series of lenses to provide a clear image. Designs range from a standard air-spaced doublet (two lenses in a row) to exotic designs such as oil-spaced triplets and 4-element multi group lenses.

Glass material

Refractors use glass lenses to focus the light, and the glass material plays an important role in the quality of the resulting image. Standard achromatic refractors routinely use Crown and Flint for the two elements, but more expensive apochromatic refractors can use ED (extra low dispersion) glass for one or more of the lenses. Reflector mirrors are made from glass with different levels of thermal expansion. Standard mirrors are made from material such as Soda-Lime Plate glass and BK-7 glass. Glass with Pyrex or other low thermal expansion material will not change shape as dramatically during the cool-down period, resulting in more stable images during this period.

Resolving power

The theoretical resolving power of a telescope can be calculated with the following formula: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 4.56 divided by aperture of telescope (in inches). In metric units, this is: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 116 divided by aperture of telescope (in millimeters). Note that the formula is independent of the telescope type or model, and is based only upon the aperture of the telescope. So the larger the telescope's aperture, the more it is capable of resolving. This is important to keep in mind when observing astronomical objects which require high resolution for best viewing, such as planets and double stars. However, it is usually atmospheric seeing conditions (not the telescope) which limits the actual resolving power on a given night; rarely is resolution less than one arc-second possible from even the best viewing locations on Earth.

Lowest useful magnification

Lowest useful magnification is the power at which the exit pupil becomes 7mm in diameter. Powers below this can still be reached with the telescope to give wider fields of view, but the image no longer becomes brighter at a lower power. This is due to the fact that the exit pupil of the telescope (the beam of light exiting the eyepiece) is now larger than the average person's dark adapted pupil, and no more light can fit into the eye.

Highest useful magnification

The highest practical limit is different from the often used "highest theoretical magnification" specification. The "theoretical" limit generally is 50x the aperture of the scope in inches (2x the aperture in mm). So for example, an 80mm refractor is capable of 160x, and a 10" telescope is theoretically capable of 500x magnification.
But after approximately 300x, theory breaks down and real world problems take over. The atmosphere above us is constantly in motion, and it will distort the image seen through the telescope. This effect may not be noticeable at lower powers, but at higher powers the atmosphere will dramatically blur the object, reducing the quality of the image. On a good night (a night where the air above is steady and the stars aren't twinkling), the practical upper limit of a large telescope is 300x, even thought the theoretical limit may be much higher. This doesn't mean the scope will never be able to reach those higher "theoretical" powers - there will be that rare night where the atmosphere is perfectly still and the scope can be pushed past it's practical limit, but those nights will be few and far between.

Astro-imaging capability

The astro-photographic capability of the telescope is based on the style, stability, and accuracy of the mount and tripod. Telescopes on either very lightweight mounts or non tracking mounts (such as Dobsonians) are capable of only very short exposures such as lunar photographs. If a motor drive is attached to an equatorial mount, even a small lightweight mount is capable of capturing some planetary detail. Larger EQ mounts that utilize very precise tracking and excellent stability are capable of longer exposure deep-sky photography.

Computerized compatibility

Some mounts are compatible with a motorized Go-To system for fully automated computer finding of objects in the night sky. Others mounts are compatible with computer finding systems which require the user to manually move the mount to the object's position as indicated by the computer finder.

Warranty

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Orders received after 1pm will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

The SkyQuest XX14i reflector allows you to see more detail than the XX12i, and with the push of a button you can locate more than 14,000 celestial objects. This telescope package also includes the light shroud and tube case set for easy transport.

The Orion Intelliscope to PC RS-232 Connector Cable allows you to connect your IntelliScope Object Locator to a serial port on your personal computer so you can use astronomy software to control your Orion Dobsonian IntelliScope.

Having trouble viewing details on the Moons surface? This neutral-density eyepiece filter reduces glare so you can see more detail and surface features. The 1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter is especially useful with large aperture telescopes.

Have you wanted to view the Horsehead, California, and Cocoon nebulas? This 1.25" Orion Hydrogen-Beta Nebula Telescope Filter blocks everything but the light these faint nebulas emit, providing the contrast needed for viewing these elusive nebulas.

For deep sky observing in light-polluted areas this 1.25" Orion SkyGlow Broadband Telescope filter is perfect. It blocks the most common wavelengths of light pollution for increased contrast and better views.

Scope Cloaks protect your telescope from dirt, moisture and sunlight. This Orion ScopeCloak fits 12-16" Dobsonian telescopes and is made from reflective, tear-resistant fabric with waterproof lining and has a locking drawstring.

The Orion Ultrablock Narrowband Telescope Filter is perfect for the deep-sky observers located at highly light-polluted sites. This 2" filter blocks all forms of light pollution allowing you to see fainter deep-sky objects.

For deep sky observing in light-polluted areas this 2" Orion SkyGlow Broadband Telescope filter is perfect. It blocks the most common wavelengths of light pollution for increased contrast and better views.

The SkyLine Deluxe green laser pointer with bracket precisely aims your telescope. Just mount it to your telescope and use it instead of a finder scope. The laser beam shows exactly where your telescope is aimed, without needing another finder.

The Orion DualBeam LED Astro Flashlight is a great multipurpose flashlight that lets you choose red or white light with the flip a switch. Red light preserves your night vision, while white light is brighter and great for packing up after viewing.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!